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Entries Tagged 'Holiday Organizing' ↓
Not everyone associates with color, but when you do, please embrace it even in your organizing systems! Spruce it up, spice it up, color it up!
Where can you easily incorporate color in your life & in your organizing systems?
Walls
- Wherever you’re working, a space big or small, find a color that you love for the walls! Think about how you want to feel when you’re working in the space as you choose your colors. Do you want to be productive, energized, calm or invigorated? If you aren’t sure what to choose, work with an interior designer who specialized in color.
Folders
- You may want to choose file folders for your file cabinet in vibrant colors.
- You may want to use decorative or colorful folders for your action system.
- You may want to use folders in colors that you associate with: green for money for the “Bills to Pay” folder, red for urgent for the “To Do” folder.
Colorful bins & baskets
- If you’re going to stash it in a bin or basket, make it attractive to your eye.
Colorful labels or picture labels
- This is a great one for children’s toys. Consider taking photos of the toys in a bin, printing and laminating it and then taping it to the front of the bin. This will help teach kids where to put things away!
Holiday Storage Bins
- When the holidays roll around, so do the colorful organizing bins in the stores. Perhaps you would like to have all green bins for Christmas and all orange bins for Halloween. This will make them stand out so you can find the holiday decor you are looking for quickly!
Think about how you relate to color and get creative where you incorporate it into your organizing systems! For tips on how to enjoy your office space, please click here.
Tags: DIY organization, file cabinet, folders, holiday organizing bins, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, labels
So, what did you get stuck with this holiday season that made you say, “Really?” A sweater that’s two sizes too small? A coffee maker but you don’t drink coffee? Cutesy holiday decor that doesn’t fit in with your very mature holiday theme of all clear and white decor? Hmmm, so, now what do you do with this stuff? You may be tempted to:
1) Leave it in the box and toss it on a shelf or in a closet just in case you decide to use it someday. Can you see a clutter theme starting here? I can, but I’m cool like that.
2) Use it just once to be “nice.”
3) Save it to sell this summer at your garage sale. Ooooooooh, careful who you invite to your garage sale, slippery slope, slippery slope…
Don’t sweat it, regift it! Really, it’s OK!
The number one key to regifting is…Are you ready? “Be sneaky Sis.” OK, not sneaky as in being shady, but sneaky as in: Do not hurt anyone’s feelings. So, selling the stuff at your next garage sale, probably not a good idea unless you know your gift givers won’t be coming.
Here are 5 golden rules to live by when regifting:
1) Remember who you got the item from so you don’t have a mishap when you give it away. You can put a note on the item with the gift giver’s name on it to help you remember.
2) Only regift items that you truly believe your recipient will like and use. Maybe you won’t use the coffee maker, but you have a coffee lover in the family who would love to have it.
3) Make sure you don’t leave evidence such as a gift receipt from a year ago or card that may be tucked inside the box.
4) Only give gifts that haven’t been used before. I read one story on the web about someone who received a popcorn maker that had popcorn kernels in it-ewwwww, come on!
5) Make sure the gift wrap is fresh, rewrap or get a new box or gift bag if needed.
Another article I read was about a guy would sell gifts he didn’t like on eBay and then use the money to buy new gifts for other people, now that’s a clever idea! Too bad I didn’t think of that.
Always be sure to thank your gift giver, whether or not you like the gift, they still put time, money and energy into getting you the gift. Unless of course they were regifting-oh snap! 
Tags: clutter, DIY organization, ebay, gifts, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, regifting
Not everything you have in your home has to be at your fingertips at all times. As a matter of fact, if you have everything out and close to you at all times, chances are your space will look crowded and cluttered and it will be harder to find what you need when you need it.
But we should keep items that we use every day closest to where we use them and at our fingertips. Examples in my own home:
1) I keep lunch sacks in the cupboard closest to where I pack lunches.
2) I keep flossers for my kids in the top drawer in the bathroom close at hand.
3) In my office I keep pens, pencils and paper clips in a drawer organizer right next to where I sit and work on the computer.
Storing these items closest to where I use them improves my efficiency.
But we all have items in our homes that don’t have to be stored right at our fingertips and to improve home organization, they can be stored higher, lower or further away. To do this, you can use wall shelves, wall units, closet shelves, under bed storage or any other area you can think of to stretch your space and tuck things away.
Here are 7 items in your home that you can store a little further ‘up and away’:
1) Holiday dishes: They can go up to the top shelf in a kitchen cupboard or even be stored out in the garage in your holiday bins.
2) Infrequently used serving dishes: They can also go up to a top shelf, a bottom cupboard that forces you go get down on your knees to get to them or in that black hole that some cupboards have that go way back.
3) Infrequently used small kitchen appliances: First, make sure you really are going to use them again. If you haven’t used your juicer in 5 years, you should consider letting it go. But for items you just use once in a while, consider storing them up high or down low in the pantry or in a cupboard that isn’t as easy to access in the kitchen.
4) Food stockpiles: If you’re a couponer or you just like to have a lot of backup items on hand, keep the foods you are currently eating, such as crackers and cereal, down low and easily accessible. The backups can be stored at the top of the pantry or in a garage pantry to restock as you run out. For 6 organizing tips for your couponing stockpile, please read more here.
5) Paper product stockpiles: I have a house full of girls and I feel best when the toilet paper is stocked! Place extra toilet paper and paper towels in a closet or on a shelf in the laundry room. There is often space to move the shelf in the laundry room down and add a higher shelf above it for stockpile items.
6) Extra office supplies: Use a shelf in the closet or add a shelf on the wall in your office to store extra supplies such as pens, pencils, envelopes and computer paper. Make sure you have a good supply right next to where you work and use this backup to restock. You can hide extra supplies in decorative boxes for a touch of pretty.
7) Reference books & magazines: An extra shelf or wall unit in your office is a great tool for keeping these resources out of your immediate workspace but still accessible when you need them.
Look around your own home and see what other items you can store a little further away so you can keep the things that you truly need close by right at your fingertips.
Tags: 6 organizing tips for your couponing stockpile, DIY organization, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, shelf, wall unit
Monday Mantra for Women: “I will acknowledge that not every holiday has to be a carbon copy of the previous holiday. What I can do from year to year may change due to life circumstances. And that’s OK.”
Tags: DIY organization, holidays, home, Home Organization, Monday Mantra for Women
There’s that awkward moment when you realize that you need a last minute gift because someone unexpectedly has a holiday gift for you-don’t let this happen to you! Here are 5 holiday gifts to choose from so you are armed and ready and can avoid a gift giving emergency this year. Phew!
Wine: I personally don’t really care for it, but I seem to be in the minority on this one. So I think a nice bottle of wine is always welcome! You can also go with sparkling cider for non-drinkers.
Gift Card: Not too large of a dollar amount here. But a simple Starbuck’s card or enough for lunch at a local restaurant is always nice.
Chocolate: My personal favorite, I don’t see how you can ever, ever go wrong with chocolate!
Poinsettias: These flowers are always festive and live for a long time.
Food Basket: You can make up a nice basket with snacks or a meal that will be welcome at this busy time of year!
Did you notice that none of these gifts will cause clutter? Yeah!!
For more holiday organizing tips to get you through the season smoothly, please read more right here on my site!
Tags: DIY organization, holiday gifts, holiday organizing tips, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, Starbucks
Who need more clutter? I don’t! You don’t! Your kids don’t! So here it goes, a quick and dirty brainstorm of 20 clutter-free gifts that you can give and I’m going for it right now!
1) Movie tickets/Theater tickets
2) Babysitting
3) Meals for a week
4) Outing for dessert and coffee
5) Membership to the zoo
6) Membership to the local children’s museum
7) Pay for lessons for children in the family-riding lessons, swim lessons, sport’s fees
Car wash/detailing
9) Housecleaning
10) Food basket
10 down, 10 to go!
11) Gift card for grocery store
12) Donation to charity in someone’s name
13) Flowers
14) Gift card for books for a Kindle
15) iTunes gift card (I love music!)
16) Pay for pet car-veterinarian, animal supplies/food\
17) Pay for a housekeeping service for a deep cleaning
18) Spa services-massage, manicure, pedicure, facial
19) Outing to a winery/wine tasting
20) Membership to movie service such as Netflix
There you go, 20 clutter-free gifts to get you thinking! Here’s a post on just how much clutter costs us to help motivate to keep clutter out!
Tags: charity, clutter costs, clutter-free gifts, declutter, DIY organization, Holiday Organizing, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, iTunes, Kindle, Netflix
Doesn’t it feel good to be able to help others who are less fortunate then ourselves at the holidays? Giving is a great thing to do all year around of course, but the needs seem to feel even greater at the holidays.
I’ve found two awesome websites that you can use this year to help you finish up your shopping and be charitable all at the same time-it’s a win/win!
TisBest TisBest Charity Gift Card is purchased from this website. It works like any other gift card, and the recipient of a Charity Gift Card spends it to support a charity of their choice.
There are tons of charities to choose from on the site and you can even write off your gift as a tax deduction! Here are just a few of the categories you have to choose from:
1) Animals
2) Children
3) Disabilities
4) Environmental
5) Health
NRDC Green Gifts Choose from NRDC’s extraordinary collection of more than 40 Green Gifts that are sure to bring joy on any occasion: birthday, anniversary, holiday or graduation. No matter what their interests or passions: from protecting wolves to saving whales, from planting a rainforest to promoting renewable energy…and no matter what your budget…you will find the perfect gift.
NRDC will send your friend or loved one a customized card (printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper) featuring the image of the Green Gift you’ve chosen. You can personalize the card online and have it sent directly to your recipient on the date you choose (or, if you want to add your own personal touch, NRDC will ship the card directly to you.) You can also select a beautiful e-card to be sent on the date you choose. Your gift will support all of NRDC’s far-reaching work to protect the environment.
What a great way to not overload people with gifts that equal more stuff that equal clutter! And, you can do your shopping right from y0ur computer-no mall! Did I mention I don’t like malls?
For more holiday organizing tips, please continue reading right here!
Tags: charities, clutter-free, DIY organization, holiday organizing tips, holidays, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog
Ladies, let’s make it easier on ourselves at the holidays this year! Let’s reduce stress, let’s enjoy the holidays more, let’s give up this vision of creating the perfect holiday, let’s just have a holiday minus perfect. Although I’m sure there are more (and I’d love to hear your ideas), here are 10 holiday shortcuts for you to consider this year to lighten your load:
1) Keep decor simple. Display poinsettias, red candles, a wreath, dishes of holiday candies and put on some holiday music and your home will still be festive.
2) Hire someone to put up your outdoor holiday lights and decor.
3) Invite company over for dessert or a glass of wine instead of for a big dinner.
4) Only say yes to holiday events that you truly want to go to. Say “no” if you aren’t interested and let go of the guilt.
5) Buy desserts instead of baking.
6) Only make one type of cookie if you are giving away plates of cookies. People are happy with anything you do, you don’t have to make 5 types of cookies to impress.
7) Shop for gifts online and have them delivered to recipients out of your area.
Give gift cards to people out of your area instead of going to the post office to mail large gifts. Saves you from a trip to the mall too. I hate the mall.
9) Shop at stores on off-peak times if it’s at all possible to avoid long lines and stressful parking lots.
10) Eliminate tasks that you just don’t want to do, let them go and let the guilt go too. Don’t want to sit and write out Christmas cards this year? Then don’t, send an email instead. Don’t want to wrap gifts this year? Then don’t, use gift bags or pay to have them wrapped or give that task to another family member.
Think outside of the box this year, let go of the guilt and just enjoy yourself-you deserve to enjoy the holidays too!
For more holiday organizing tips, please stay right here!
Tags: Christmas cards, DIY organization, email, gift bags, Holiday Organizing, holiday organizing tips, holiday shortcuts, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, moms
It’s time to make your list and check it twice if you are a hostess and you want your event to be nice! I’ve created a holiday organization checklist to make it easy for you to entertain this year.
INVITES
1) Choose a date & time for your event.
2) Plan your menu. Are you cooking everything or will you have your guests contribute?
3) Invite your guests to your event. There are so many options now for invites: old school through the mail, phone, create a facebook event, email, evite, etc.
4) Let your guests know what they can bring if you would like to have a potluck or even just a little help.
TABLE
1) Purchase or, even better, borrow any special decor or serving pieces you may need.
2) Make place cards or decor if you are crafty like that.
3) Set the table in advance so you can see what you may need to tweak. This also will reduce stress close to your event.
GROCERY SHOPPING
1) Make your grocery list now that you know what you are making and who is bringing what
2) Make sure you look in your pantry for items that you assume that you have, don’t assume. Make sure things like spices and gravy packets are still there and still good.
3) Look at grocery flyers and coupons if you would like to try to save some money.
4) Aim for doing your grocery shopping at less-stressful times at the store. Go at off-peak hours or order online for home delivery-even easier!
FOOD PREPARATION
1) Make sure you defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator well in advance for food safety..
2) Cut, chop, bake, prep as much as you can in the days prior to your event.
3) Don’t be afraid to take shortcuts this year if you need to. Pre-baked pies and cookies are just fine. You can add your own touch to pre-made items such as buying a cheesecake and then making your own raspberry sauce.
4) Be sure to plan out the timing for getting everything cooked and done at the same time. This can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with holiday cooking, but you’ll get it!
5) Cook the day of your event and enjoy your wonderful meal and your wonderful company!
For more holiday organizing tips, please read more here.
Tags: DIY organization, holiday hostess organizing checklist, Holiday Organizing, holiday organizing tips, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog, organizing checklist
At the risk of sounding totally bah humbug, I’ve gotta pet peeve when it comes to holiday parties and I’m just gonna go ahead and share it: Gift exchanges! Why do work parties, weight loss group parties, mom’s night out parties, networking group holiday parties, any type of group parties all have to involve gift exchanges?? WHY, WHY? White elephant gifts, gifts for $20 or under, Christmas tree ornament exhanges.. Really? Really, do we really need more stuff?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! No, we don’t actually.
Especially white elephant parties-why would I possibly want someone’s sh&# that they didn’t even want? I don’t, thank you very much.
I say stop the madness! You are already shopping for family and possibly close friends. Holiday gift exchanges mean:
1) Shopping for more people which takes your time, energy and gas
2) Spending more money from your budget to buy stuff no one needs
Can’t we just make parties about being together and having fun? Sharing some yummy food and good drinks? How about bringing food or gift donations for charity instead? Now the charities really do have people who need this stuff-minus the white elephant doodoo.
We already have so much stuff, too much stuff, homes brimming with stuff, I would love to see parties be about the people, not about getting more stuff.
I’m off my soapbox now. Happy holidays! Lol
Tags: DIY organization, Holiday Organizing, holiday parties, home, Home Organization, Home Organization Blog
